Reflection
There is nothing more disheartening to a person who is genuinely seeking to live sincerely than hypocrisy. Hypocrisy visibly fails to practice the virtues that one preaches or live by the creed one professes. The greatest incentive to embracing a Christian life is to see it lived with honesty and selfless commitment by other Christians especially those who are in positions of leadership. Especially in times of crisis and need, people will embrace the gospel when they see it enfleshed. The power of Jesus’ life was not only what he said, but who he was. His integrity and honesty were fearless; he spoke the truth no matter what it might cost him. People saw and believed.
Prayer
May I live with integrity.
Action
Examine what you perceive as being preached but not practiced. How do you respond personally? What is your life preaching?
Suggested Reading
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,
“The scribes and the Pharisees
have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,
but do not follow their example.
For they preach but they do not practice.
They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry
and lay them on people’s shoulders,
but they will not lift a finger to move them.
All their works are performed to be seen.
Mt 23: 1-12
Many of Jesus’ disciples who were listening said,
“This saying is hard; who can accept it?”
Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this,
he said to them, “Does this shock you?
John 6:60-69
Do not let your deeds belie your words, lest when you speak in church someone may say to himself, “Why do you not practice what you preach?”
St. Jerome
We must all try to be preachers through our deeds.
Saint Teresa of Ávila
How can one preach goodness and love to men without at the same time offering them an interpretation of the World that justifies this goodness and this love?
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
We cannot be Christians part-time. If Christ is at the center of our lives, He is present in all that we do.
Pope Francis
Be sure that you first preach by the way you live. If you do not, people will notice that you say one thing, but live otherwise, and your words will bring only cynical laughter and a derisive shake of the head.
Saint Charles Borromeo
Sanctify yourself and you will sanctify society.
Saint Francis of Assisi
People of integrity and honesty not only practice what they preach, they are what they preach.
David A. Bednar
He does not believe that does not live according to his belief.
Sigmund Freud
Most Catholics aren’t reading the Bible, the Catechism, or papal documents. They’re reading one another.
Sherry Weddell